Old Orchard stands about 3 miles off the shore of
Staten Island and is visible from the beach at Gateway National
Park. Established in 1893, it served with the Waackaack Beacon (no longer
standing) as a range light for the Gedney Channel.
Early in his career Frank Schubert, the current "keeper" of
the Coney Island Lighthouse, kept a good light on Old Orchard. For three years,
his tours lasted for 21 days, with 6 days off. During his tour of duty, the use
of kerosene to light the beacon was a common practice. He would ignite the
kerosene vapors a half-hour before sunset and extinguish the light a half-hour
after sunrise. Life on Old Orchard remained uneventful for the keepers, except
for occasionally coming to the aid of boaters in trouble. The 50.5 foot
conical-shaped light still shows its white beacon and remains a valuable aid to
all mariners who cross her lighted path. |
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